Chicago's Very Own Eats

Since 2017, Roaring Table in Lake Zurich has been brewing some of the best beer in the greater Chicagoland area. And in the last year, they have been serving some of the best pizza too. Founders and husband-wife duo Lane Fearing and Beth May joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own […]

Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven, started with 128 pizza places in our “Mom & Pops” bracket. The one to come out on top was Bartolini’s of Midlothian! A day after winning our month-long tournament, owner Chris Bartolini joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats […]

After 4 weeks of voting on 160 Chicago pizza places, 128 Mom & Pops and 32 Local Chains, the polls are closed and we have our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions. Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John Williams and Andy Masur to announce and call the winners. Listen […]

Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber has been busy. With seven Billy Bricks Pizza locations and a mobile fleet of pizza and ice cream trucks, he’s bringing his Moo Joe’s ice cream to Evanston in the beloved Parlor on Central (2002 Central Street). Ric joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on Chicago’s Very Own Eats to […]

Between St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Primary Election Day, and just being one Chicago’s all-time great places for comfort food, it’s an understatement to say Manny’s Deli is busy. Because of that, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were glad 4th-generation owner Dan Raskins could make time to join them for the 100th episode of Chicago’s Very […]

Jarosch Bakery opened in Elk Grove Village in 1959, and has been a staple in the community ever since. In 2024, owners Ken and Kathy Jarosch sold to family-owned Ideal Bakery and still remain very involved with Jarosch’s in its new era. Ideal Bakery president Chris Kowall joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the […]

Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the 2026 Pizza Madness tournament and how Bob inspired a twist for the local chains competition. Click here to vote in the Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026 and the Chicago Pizza Madness 2026: Local Chains Division.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats” Mike Piff joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Lisa Dent, to talk the 2026 Pizza Bracket. This year, the bracket features more pizza joints than ever before. 128 “Mom and Pop” pizza places will duke it out in their own bracket, separated by region, while 32 […]

How has it already been a year since our last Pizza Madness Tournament? After doubling the field last year to 128, and the championship victory by Rosati’s, we go into Year 4 of Chicago Pizza Madness with another new twist! We have moved the local chains into their own 32-competitor division, and will allow 128 […]

Sankyu Sushi & Izakaya is new to the Mount Prospect area, and has the goal of bringing an elevated Japanese dining experience to the Northwest suburbs. Sankyu Sushi spokesman Han Jeon joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about why they opened in Kevin’s hometown, what Japanese traditions […]

On the 21st floor of The LaSalle Chicago hotel (208 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL), is a hidden gem that is better described as an “experience” than just a restaurant. Grill on 21, as part of Roanoke Hospitality, offers a modern, elevated twist on the classics you know from American steakhouses, and a bar that […]

“Tievoli” backwards is “I love it.” And you’ll be saying exactly that when you try their pizza. That’s what Chef Giovanni Labbate had in mind when he opened his restaurant at 44 W. Palatine Rd in Palatine, 3 years ago. Tievoli Pizza Bar celebrates its 3rd anniversary on Valentine’s Day this year, after winning and […]

What began as a beloved donut shop in Los Angeles, since the 1960s, has become a gourmet staple across the Chicago area for over a decade. Stan’s Donuts Learning & Development Manager Jeff Krause joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast to talk about how Rich Labriola (of Labriola […]

Chicago Restaurant Week is underway! From January 23rd to February 8th, over 500 restaurants across the city and its neighborhoods are offering great opportunities to try their menus at an affordable price. One of those restaurants is La Dolce Vita Cucina in Portage Park. Andrew Hayes from World Business Chicago and La Dolce Vita Cucina […]

Angelo Corso and Brian Rock founded Doughnate Pizza with a shared love for pizza and community. They have successfully provided meals for more than 50,000 people by working with local businesses and like-minded organizations to bring food directly to those in need. Angelo and Brian joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very […]

Friend of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast and “Popup/Collab Champ” Billy Zureikat is in playoff mode with his Chicago Squares, creating pizzas based on the Bears’ opponents each week. Billy joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff to share what he has in store for the Bears’ divisional round matchup against the Rams, how he’s […]

The 1985-86 Chicago Bears aren’t the only icons in Chicago celebrating their 40th anniversary. In 1985, Chicago food lovers didn’t know much about tapas (or even small plates), but Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba wasn’t afraid to introduce it to them when they opened their doors at 2024 N Halsted St. Fast forward four decades, and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba […]

The Bears aren’t in the playoffs often, so let this be your permission to treat it like the Super Bowl with what you prepare to eat. Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joined Bob Sirott on the morning show to share some of his favorite dishes and recipes for gameday. Listen and see […]

Before recording the latest episode of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast, hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were treated to incredible dishes and flavors they’ve never had before, thanks to their guests from Mirra. Zubair Mohajir (Partner), Rishi Kumar (Executive Chef & Partner) and David Mor (Beverage Director & Partner) brought their award-winning cuisine […]

Ten years ago, Maple & Ash chef Danny Grant and partner Jim Lasky didn’t know what their new restaurant was going to be, but the didn’t want it to be like most steakhouses. Fast-forward a decade and they have created an atmosphere with “a heartbeat” and one that welcomes all to make themselves at home, […]